Welcome back to an extraordinarily busy column detailing the latest highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. There are several big movies arriving, as well as some well-received smaller features and older titles that have been given high definition upgrades. So, since you can’t or likely shouldn’t go out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
Big New Releases!
Bill & Ted Face the Music – This sequel comes 29 years after the previous installment and finds buddies Bill & Ted married with adult kids, still striving to create a song that will unite the world. With only hours left before the universe unravels, a visitor from the future arrives to encourage them to get the tune finished. Using time travel, the pair visit alternate futures while their daughters head into the past in to assemble an amazing backing band. Notices were very positive for this follow-up. There was a small group of critics who thought that the story simply rehashed the same old formula. However, the majority found it sweet, funny and fun, calling the film a rare follow-up that actually worked. It stars Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, Kristen Schaal, Samara Weaving, Brigette Lundy-Paine and William Sadler. To read a full review of the flick, click here.
Blade: The Iron Cross – Believe it or not, there have been 13 films in the long-running Puppet Master horror series. This title marks feature number 14 and is set in Germany near the end of World War II. The story follows the dangerous little puppets called Blade who possesses a hook for a hand. The figure teams up with a journalist to eliminate a diabolical Nazi scientist. This feature hasn’t received many reviews but has been streaming on Amazon Prime since the summer and is only now arriving on disc. There have been a few write-ups from horror fans that have appeared online which are mixed-negative. They call it a run-of-the-mill franchise entry that is generally forgettable. The cast includes Tania Fox, Vincent Cusimano, Roy Abramsohn and Bobby Reed.
Book of Monsters – A young woman’s 18th birthday goes off the rails when she holds a party just as monstrous creatures begin to descend on her house. The teenage protagonist and her guests must fight the invaders off before they get devoured. This low-budget UK productions got some decent reviews from the press. There were a few who complained that the story was too simple and that the characters weren’t very distinctive and that the script could have developed them further. However, most stated that the movie exuded a nostalgic 80s vibe with some gooey practical creature effects and described it as a reasonably entertaining and funny B-movie with its tongue planted firmly in cheek. The movie is also available on Amazon Prime and features Lyndsey Craine, Michaela Longden, Lizzie Aaryn-Stanton and Daniel Thrace.
Charlie’s Christmas Wish – This family drama involves a sergeant being sent home from duty after being diagnosed with PTSD. Upon his arrival, he is surprised to discover his wife and child catering to a new family member…. a little pooch. The protagonist attempts to form a relationship with the animal while reconnecting with other returned veterans. In order to try and find a new purpose in life, he sets out to help those in his circle enjoy a festive holiday. This film is premiering on disc and at present is only being released on DVD. There aren’t any reviews available for it either, so it’s hard to say whether those who pick it up cold will be receiving a sweet gift or a lump of coal. Diane Ladd, Aiden Turner, Toni Hudson, John O’Hurley, Vernon Wells and Richard Tyson headline the feature.
Contracts – A masked assassin targets another group of assassins in this ultra-low budget indie martial arts feature, made by a professional stuntman. That one sentence is essentially the entire plot, leading to a series of confrontations and brutal fights between the mysterious killer and a group of equally skilled foes. This feature played at the After Dark Film Festival in Toronto last year. Reviews have essentially said that there is barely a plot and the writing and acting are like something out of a cheesy soap opera. However, they admitted that despite these shortcomings, the fights themselves are jaw-dropping and better than many you’d see in a Hollywood film. So, if you just want to see a series of incredible brawls between some unintentionally goofy exposition, it may satisfy. Margaryta Soldatova, Kyle Stewart, Christena Gaunce and writer/director Alex Chung play a few of the butt-kickers.
Dave Not Coming Back – Deep-water scuba diving is the subject of this documentary. Specifically, two men obsessed with the sport. This pair become known for breaking a depth record in 1994 by reaching the bottom of a South African cave called Boesmansgat. It seems that while completing the incredible task years ago, the pair noted a body resting on the floor of the underwater cave. This feature tells how, decades later, they assembled a team to repeat the dangerous dive and retrieve the person… as well as the tragedy that followed. This feature appears to be premiering on disc and on streaming platforms this week, so reviews will likely appear in the coming days. A few articles have appeared in countries, which are positive and suggest it has a chilling ending.
Guest House – A couple get engaged and find the home of their dreams. After making the purchase, they become aware of the major drawback… a man who lives at the property’s guesthouse. He turns out to be a party animal who is none-to-pleased about the change in ownership. A turf war breaks out between the couple and tenant with outrageous consequences. This comedy ran at a few drive-ins earlier in the year, but it didn’t play well with critics. They called it an unfunny and tired stoner flick that lazily rehashed jokes seen in hundreds of other titles of its ilk. These write-ups ultimately suggested that the movie was a chore to sit through. The cast includes Pauly Shore, Mike Castle, Aimee Teegarden, Steve-O, Billy Zane, Mikaela Hoover, Charlotte McKinney, Lou Ferrigno, Chris Kattan and Bobby Lee.
I Met a Girl – This Australian romantic-comedy follows an aspiring musician suffering from schizophrenia. Inspired to express his feelings to the woman of his dreams, he sets out on a cross-country journey from Perth to Sydney in order to track the woman down. However, events begin to suggest that this female may not be real and simply a figment of his imagination. Response towards this feature has been middling. Many stated that the cast were sweet and charming to watch and that the movie handled the character’s mental illness in a surprisingly considerate manner. For some, this was good enough to earn the picture a modest recommendation. But others complained that the actors couldn’t make up for a weak script and that the picture simply wasn’t memorable. It features Brenton Thwaites and Lily Sullivan.
Love Express: The Disappearance of Walerian Borowczyk – For those unfamiliar with Polish director Walerian Borowczyk, this filmmaker caused a stir in arthouse circles during the 1970s with his controversial, erotically-charged and sometimes explicit shorts and features. This documentary dissects and reappraises his movies, examining his influence on others, as well as making a case for artistic freedom. It includes discussions with fans like Terry Gilliam, Neil Jordan and Andrzej Wajda. Response towards this non-fiction effort was good, although the articles did present some caveats. Reviews noted that the feature didn’t make its case as effectively as it could have and stuck to a surface level exploration of the filmmaker. Still, the consensus was that this served as an effective primer to a filmmaker who may have been undervalued.
Marona’s Fantastic Tale – A mixed-breed dog with a big heart is hit by a car at the beginning of this animated co-production from France, Romania and Belgium. As she lays on the ground wounded and alone, her mind takes her through several important memories from her long life. We see the various owners she has loved and individual moments of happiness and joy as the dog struggles to hang on to life. While it probably isn’t light entertainment for kids, the feature did receive excellent marks from the press. One reviewer did complain about the trippy, psychedelic visuals and couldn’t engage with the story as a result. All others stated that this was a unique and heartfelt movie with incredible images that would also tug at the heartstrings and ultimately make an emotional impact.
Maybe Next Year – Fans of the Philadelphia Eagles are some of the most passionate and extreme sports enthusiasts in the entire world. The makers of this documentary followed four of these characters during the lows and eventual highs of the team’s 2017 Superbowl-winning season. Viewers will see all of their eccentricities on full display as they cheer on their team week after week. There aren’t a whole lot of reviews yet for this title, but a few essays have popped up online. One states that the movie would have been better to focus instead on just how bizarre and abnormal the behavior of these devotees was. The others were upbeat, suggesting that anyone who loves a team would be able to empathize with the struggles of these spirited superfans.
Metamorphosis – Also known as Byeonshin, this South Korean chiller involves an evil spirit that worms its way into a family unit. One member of the clan becomes possessed, causing chaos and placing the others in danger. They soon decide that an exorcism may be the only solution. This foreign-language picture won a few awards in its homeland for its technical accomplishments, but critics haven’t been nearly as kind about the dramatic elements of the picture. A few did enjoy the slick and polished the presentation and felt that the atmosphere was enough to justify a recommendation. However, the majority groused that the film was too long and ultimately veered into melodrama, lessening its impact and effectiveness on viewers. Sung-Woo Bae, Dong-il Sung, Young-nam Jang and Hye-jun Kim headline the picture.
Mortal – A young man hiding in the western wilderness of Norway makes a shocking discovery and unwittingly gains the powers of some legendary Norse gods. After an accident involving these unexpected skills results in a death, the lead is arrested. He befriends a police psychologist and the two decide to make a break for it in order to find out more about his new skillset. This Scandinavian/US co-production split critics. About half of the them said that while oddly paced, the leads were likable and engaging enough to earn the flick a pass. Just as many complained that the screenplay needed a rewrite to fix its tonal issues and asserted that the movie never reached its potential. The cast includes Nat Wolff, Priyanka Bose, Iben Akerlie and Arthur Hakalahti.
Mulan – With little notice, it appears that Disney has announced the Blu-ray and DVD release of their recent live-action remake of the hugely popular animated film (the movie has also been on the Disney+ streaming service for a few months now). The story follows a young woman in China who disguises herself as a male warrior in the hopes of saving her ailing father from being drafted into the military. She soon finds herself battling invaders and trying to saving her country. Reaction towards the feature was reasonable but unexceptional. Many members of the press called it an impressive-to-look-at but watered-down retelling that was dramatically stiff and, in the end, forgettable. Still, the majority said that while all of the elements may not have come together perfectly, it was still an impressive spectacle that would please families. It stars Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Li Gong, Jet Li and Jason Scott Lee.
A Rainy Day in New York – The latest from writer/director Woody Allen involves a pair of college students who decide to head out to Manhattan for the day. One of them is interviewing a famous film director for her school paper, while her boyfriend hopes to show his girlfriend around town, gamble a bit and try to avoid his family. Nothing goes according to plan, the two get separated and both end up having different experiences in the city. This comedic effort received middling reviews from critics. Roughly half of them admitted it wasn’t one of the filmmaker’s best, but was still an amusing confection with a few amusing scenes. Just as many didn’t think that the casting and onscreen chemistry worked and suggested the movie didn’t reach the heights of other Allen titles. Timothée Chalamet, Elle Fanning, Liev Schreiber, Selena Gomez, Jude Law, Rebecca Hall and Diego Luna headline the feature.
Spontaneous – This film puts a unique spin on teen romance. Kids at a local high school begin exploding without warning and are immediately quarantined together. While they wait for a cure and try not to spontaneously combust, a student decides to try and overcome his shyness and forge a relationship with the girl of his dreams before it’s too late. This odd rom-com/fantasy/sci-fi flick was well received and earned a great deal of positive write-ups. One or two thought that the filmmakers could have done even more with the concept. However, everyone else praised the performances and described the feature as a sharp and at times charged examination of pains of falling in love. It looks like the movie is arriving exclusively on DVD this week and a Blu-ray will follow. It features Charlie Plummer, Katherine Langford, Piper Perabo and Rob Huebel.
Where She Lies – This documentary tells the story of a woman in Tennessee who was assaulted as a young woman. After giving birth to a child, the new mother was ultimately informed that the baby was stillborn. Decades later, the lady’s mother gives a strange deathbed confession that contradicts everything. It soon becomes clear that this infant may have, in fact, not passed away and was instead given up for adoption. The filmmakers follow their subject as she attempts to get the full story, come to terms with what happened and decide whether or not she should try to contact her offspring. This movie is being released on disc and on streaming platforms at the same time. As a result, no one has seen it yet and there is no consensus on the quality of this documentary.
Blasts from the Past!
It isn’t just a busy time for new releases. This week also sees a huge number of older features being upgraded and released on Blu-ray. Arrow Video are re-releasing a box set called the American Horror Project Volume 1, which contains several low-budget genre films. The titles included are Malatesta’s Carnival of Blood (1973), The Premonition (1976) and The Witch Who Came from the Sea (1976). This set sold out when it was initially released 4 years ago but is now being reissued. Around the same time, Arrow also put out a limited edition Herschell Gordon Lewis collection. They’re now putting out another edition of the Blu-ray package. This standard Special Edition is called The Herschell Gordon Lewis Feast and is a 7-disc set that includes the B-movie classics Blood Feast (1963), Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964), as well as some other so-bad-they’re-good features from the filmmaker’s catalog.
Additionally, Arrow are releasing a Blu-ray of the Japanese cyberpunk flick, Burst City (1982). This tale is set in on the outskirts of Tokyo where punk rockers and biker gangs set up a protest to stop the construction of a nuclear powerplant. However, they have to square off against Yakuzi industrialists in control of the project in order to stop it from being built. The movie comes with a commentary featuring an expert on Japanese cinema, an hour-long interview with the director, a 27-minute talk about the production, as well as publicity materials.
Shout! Factory are delivering some Hammer Studios horror this week. The Brides of Dracula (1960) involves a lovely young woman traveling in Eastern Europe. When she finds herself stranded at a castle, she meets various locals with sinister backgrounds and motives. The lead ends up teaming with Van Helsing (played by Peter Cushing) in order to stop the imminent threat. This Collector’s Edition Blu-ray features a 2K scan of the feature in two different aspect ratios, as well as a film historian audio commentary, new specials on the director and filmmaking team, a lengthy making-of, trailers, stills, radio spots and much more!
You can also pick up How to Make a Monster (1958) on Blu-ray. This was supposed to be out many months ago, but its release was delayed. It’s about a horror make-up artist who decides to get revenge on the studio bosses who fired him by using the executive’s biggest stars and seemingly turning them into unwitting, murderous creatures via hypnosis. The movie has received a 2K scan and comes with two film expert commentaries that provide background information on the production. You’ll also get a special on the movie’s producer, as well as a Q&A with actors from the feature.
War of the Colossal Beast (1958) is a sequel to the 1957 B-movie The Amazing Colossal Man about an army colonel who grows uncontrollably after being irradiated by a nuclear blast. He returns in this follow-up in an even more demented state, escaping from government officials and wreaking havoc on nearby cities. This title has also been given a new 2K scan and arrives with a film historian audio track, an alternate ending, a special on writer/director/producer Bert I. Gordon (who also gave up Attack of the Puppet People, The Food of the Gods and Empire of the Ants) as well as a theatrical trailer.
Kino are debuting some remarkable titles on Blu-ray too. Back in the days of VHS, a really popular cult flick was Amazon Women on the Moon (1987) a wild and raunchy comedy featuring loads of sketches inspired by programs you might see on late-night TV. It was not a success during its initial release but quickly developed a cult following due to some standout bits, including “Mondo Condo” which features Arsenio Hall being attacked by his own condominium, “Son of the Invisible Man” (a comedic sequel to the horror classic), a hilarious show posing ridiculous solutions to unsolved mysteries called “Bullshit or Not?”, as well as “Reckless Youth” which recreates social hygiene films from the 1930s. The character of Don “No Soul” Simmons, who appears throughout, also stands as a highlight.
Not all of the sketches are amazing, but it’s pretty solid in general. Many found it edgier and funnier than anything on Saturday Night Live. The film has never been released on Blu-ray and is now debuting with a film historian audio track, a documentary on the production featuring interviews with producer/co-director John Landis and co-director Joe Dante, deleted scenes, outtakes, newly discovered outtakes from Joe Dante’s personal archive (including his Reckless Youth segment presented as originally intended) and a trailer.
If you enjoy Richard Pryor comedies, the distributor is releasing Bustin’ Loose (1981) on Blu-ray. It’s about an ex-con assisting a group of special education students on a trip from Philadelphia to the Pacific Northwest. This disc includes a movie expert commentary as well as radio spots and a trailer.
And those who enjoy Clint Eastwood flicks are also hitting the jackpot this week with the release of a trio of Blu-rays featuring the star. The Beguiled (1971), a Civil War drama in which a soldier finds himself under the care of dangerous young women, has been newly restored in 2K. It comes with a film critic audio track, a featurette on the movie, the trailer with comments from filmmaker and fan John Landis alongside other promo materials. The Eiger Sanction (1975) features Eastwood as a government assassin taking on a dangerous mission in the Swiss Alps. This title has also received a 2K restoration and arrives with new film historian commentary, an interview with co-star Reiner Schone, archival interviews with cast members, a promo reel for the movie, TV and radio spots and plenty more.
Additionally, Kino are presenting Play Misty for Me (1971) on Blu-ray. This feature marked Eastwood’s directorial debut. He stars as a disc jockey who begins being stalked by an obsessive fan. This disc also presents the movie with a new and improved 2K image, another audio track with trivia from an expert on the movie, a video essay on the title, a documentary about the movie, a featurette on the production, a trailer with comments from director and fan Adam Rifkin (Detroit Rock City), as well as all kinds of promo materials and other bonuses.
Criterion are releasing the drama Girlfriends (1978) on Blu-ray. This feature tells the story of a young woman and aspiring photographer trying to make ends meet in New York City after her best friend suddenly leaves the apartment to be married. The picture was nominated for several awards including a Golden Globe and arrives on disc with a 4K restoration and transfer supervised by director Claudia Weill and the cinematographer. It also comes with several interviews including two with Weill, another with a couple of cast members, and a discussion with the screenwriter. Another bonus is two short films ifrom the moviemaker.
Paramount are reaching into their back catalog for some new Blu-rays. This week the titles receiving high-definition upgrades are The Odd Couple II (1998), The Original Kings of Comedy (2000) and The Stooge (1951).
B-movie fans can pick up a new Double Feature Blu-ray from Dark Force Entertainment that includes the flicks Hollywood High (1976) and Teenage Mother (1967).
Full Moon Features are a little independent outfit created by Charles Band. For several decades, they have been producing and releasing features (including the Puppet Master series, which has a new release this week). They’re upgrading many of their classic titles to Blu-ray with special VHS Retro Packaging. These discs all cost less than $10 too, making them appealing to anyone who remembers these genre features. The titles arriving this week are Tourist Trap (1979), the comedy Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death (1989), Creepozoids (1987), Dark Angel: The Ascent (1994), Laserblast (1978), Meridian (1990), Slave Girls from Beyond Infinity (1987), Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-o-rama (1988) and Robot Wars (1993).
Mondo Macabro is presenting a European erotic shocker on Blu-ray. Seven Women for Satan (1976) is about a man who hunts down naked women on his estate. It was banned for a few years in its home country. For the Blu-ray release, the feature has been given a 4K transfer. It also comes with deleted scenes, an extended cut and interviews with the director and a cast member.
Those who are taken with Japanese monster movies can now pick up the Kaiju Clash Double Feature Blu-ray courtesy of SRS Cinema. The disc includes Reigo: King of the Sea Monsters (2005) and its sequel, Raiga: God of the Monsters (2009) in which a giant, Godzilla-like creature attacks various cities across the country as well as ships off the coast in the sea.
Finally, Warner Archive have some made-to-order discs coming your way. The first is a Blu-ray of Tennessee Johnson (1942) a biopic about Andrew Johnson, the first US President to be impeached. They are also putting out several DVDs too, including the Bette Davis drama, The Little Foxes (1941), The Pride of the Yankees (1942) with Gary Cooper and Stella Dallas (1937) starring Barbara Stanwyck. You can also order another Gary Cooper feature called The Westerner (1940) and an early adaptation of Wuthering Heights (1939).
You Know, For Kids!
Here are some new features that might impress youngsters.
Molly of Denali: Molly’s Awesome Alaskan Adventure (PBS Kids)
PAW Patrol: PUP-tastic! 8-DVD Collection
Sesame Street: Old School Volume 1 (1969 – 1974)
Sesame Street: Old School Volume 2 (1974 – 1979)
On the Tube!
And these are the week’s TV-themed releases, including a box set of every episode of the Emmy award-winning series, Schitt’s Creek.
The Christmas Club (Hallmark TV-movie)
Dark/Web: Season 1
A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love (Hallmark TV-Movie)
Entertaining Christmas (Hallmark TV-Movie)
Holiday for Heroes (Hallmark TV-Movie)
The Last Dance (ESPN TV-Miniseries about the Chicago Bulls)
Letterkenny: Seasons 5 & 6
Molly of Denali: Molly’s Awesome Alaskan Adventure (PBS Kids)
Monty Python’s Flying Circus: Series 1 – 4 (1969 – 1974)
The Office: The Complete Series (2005 – 2013)
Our Christmas Love Song (Hallmark TV-movie)
PAW Patrol: PUP-tastic! 8-DVD Collection
Schitt’s Creek: The Complete Collection
Sesame Street: Old School Volume 1 (1969 – 1974)
Sesame Street: Old School Volume 2 (1974 – 1979)
The Trouble with Maggie Cole (PBS)